Bipartisan Bills Introduced in Both Chambers to Authorize FTA Negotiations With UK
House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith, R-Neb., and Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., introduced the Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism (UNITED) Act, which authorizes the administration to negotiate a comprehensive trade agreement with the U.K. in consultation with Congress.
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A companion bill was introduced by Sens. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Chris Coons, D-Del.
Smith noted that he led a bipartisan delegation to the U.K. in 2022, "where I saw firsthand the value such an agreement holds for both our countries." He praised Trump's "vigorous engagement" with the U.K. in trade talks in his first term.
"The UNITED Act is a bipartisan effort to move into the future of rules-based trade relations by promoting expanded access to international markets eager for our products and safeguarding American innovation," Smith said in a press release announcing the bill.
Himes said in the release: "Strong trade partners are critical to a prosperous economy -- creating jobs, increasing opportunities for businesses, and bringing down costs for consumers. The UNITED Act builds on our existing special relationship with the United Kingdom and paves the way for a new, comprehensive free trade agreement."
Moran said signing an FTA with Britain would open up its market for Kansas agriculture, biofuels and aerospace products.
"This bill demonstrates the strong bipartisan support in Congress for restarting negotiations with the U.K. on a trade deal that sets ambitious international standards for our shared priorities on climate, labor protections, digital trade, intellectual property rights, and many other areas," Coons said.